We had a night out on the town and celebrated my birthday a little early.  Blake's birthday is the day after Christmas so we technically celebrated both.

Molly had her Christmas party at school.  Larry and I went to it.  She was excited that we were there. 

They made pancake faces for breakfast.  Molly made hers bald because she doesn't like whip cream.  She also opted not to have syrup on her pancake which really surprised me.  She ate it all though.  They eyes first, then the mouth, then the nose, then the face.  

They played musical chairs and Molly won.  It was a little rigged.  When it got down to about the last four players, there was a "tie" a couple of rounds where Molly was involved with one butt cheek in a chair.  Mrs. Blue would say, "That's a little close we better do it again."  Each time Molly would find a chair to get when the music went off.  It got down to Molly and TayTay on the final round.  

One chair.  

Mrs. Blue said she covered her eyes but I could swear she was peaking through her fingers. Somehow the music went off right as Molly's little rear was near the seat part of the chair.  

She was so excited she won.

Sophie's party was at the same time as Molly's.  She asked me to come.  I told her that parents don't usually come to parties in the 6th grade and that I made most of hers when she was in primary.  She found out that I was right.  There was one set of grandparents that came to her party and that was it.  

Sadie came home from school for the holidays.  All the girls got together for a sleepover.  I hope they keep doing that.  

Molly got all clogged up and sounded froggy.  She was complaining of a sore throat.  When I looked in her throat and saw her huge tonsils, a couple of things came to mind.  The first one was, "Why does she always get sick on the holidays????"  

When Sadie came home and told me her throat was scratchy too, I made them both a doctor's appointment.  They did a strep culture and they came back negative.  So I started them on Mucinex and we waited.....

The next day we were going to all go to the movies.  Molly started running a fever and all she wanted to do was sleep.  We called the doctor and he said she needed some antibiotics with it being this close to Christmas (2 days.)  

We cancelled the movies trip and got her some antibiotics and by the next day she was feeling better.

Sophie and Molly didn't get to ring the bells with me this year.  I had duty twice.  The first time was at night and Sophie had basketball practice at the same time.  Molly is loving the basketball practice so she didn't want to go with me.  I'm glad she didn't now because it ended up being cold that night and she didn't need to be out in the weather.  

The second time was during the day on Christmas Eve.  Sadie went with me.  I didn't let the little kids go because it was raining.  

Ringing the bells has really opened my eyes.  It is always turns out to be fun and the time passes by quickly because lots of people will stop and visit for a little while.  The kids that come by are so excited about Christmas coming and people are generally happy and kind.  The thing that really gets to me is that people from all walks of life put money in that bucket.  The Salvation Army is a local organization that gives back to our community locally.  I personally know the person over it and how it is used.  So, when I see people reaching deep in their pockets to give whatever they can and I know that some of those people are the ones that need it the most, it really makes my heart happy.  Giving is Happiness!